Author: Press Room

Wellington is set to lose an electorate as a result of boundary changes proposed by the independent Representation Commission.The Ōhāriu, Mana and Ōtaki seats are set to be removed with two new electorates named Kenepuru and Kapiti created instead.This affects Labour’s Greg O’Connor who is the MP for Ōhāriu, Labour’s finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds, MP for Mana, and National MP for Ōtaki Tim Costley.The proposed changes come as a result of the commission’s review into the electorate boundary changes, which are assessed after each census.“Our review is driven by population numbers and the need to ensure each electorate has about…

Weather balloons are an “essential piece of the forecasting system.” But there will be fewer of them in tornado season this year. ADVERTISEMENTFollowing massive job cuts, the National Weather Service is eliminating or reducing vital weather balloon launches in eight US locations. Meteorologists and former agency leaders warn this will degrade the accuracy of forecasts just as severe weather season kicks in.The normally twice-daily launches of weather balloons in about 100 locations provide information that forecasters and computer models use to figure out what the weather will be and how dangerous it can get. So cutting back is a mistake, said…

Israeli settlers beat up one of the Palestinian co-directors of the Oscar-winning documentary film No Other Land in the occupied West Bank before he was detained by the Israeli military, according to two of his fellow directors and other witnesses.The filmmaker Hamdan Ballal was one of three Palestinians detained in the village of Susiya, according to attorney Leah Tsemmel. Police told her they’re being held at a military base for medical treatment and she said she hasn’t been able to speak with them.Basel Adra, another co-director, witnessed the detention and said around two dozen settlers — some masked, some carrying…

A 20-year-old driver has been arrested and charged following a crash near the University of Auckland yesterday which injured five people.Auckland City acting inspector Scott Jones said five pedestrians were injured in the crash on Symonds Street, two of them treated at the scene.”One man remains in a serious but stable condition in Auckland City Hospital, with two others recovering at home,” he said.Jones said the 20-year-old driver has been arrested and charged with three counts of careless driving causing injury.A crashed car on Symonds St, Auckland (Source: 1News)He has also been forbidden to drive.Jones said the driver has been…

The foiled attack came as the European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas paid a visit to Israel and the occupied Bank on Monday, where she met with both Israeli and Palestinian officials. ADVERTISEMENTThe Israeli military on Monday said it intercepted a long-range missile launched from Yemen over Jerusalem, triggering air raid sirens and explosions over the city. Local officials said they believed the missile to be from Houthi rebels in Yemen, where a handful of long-range missiles have been fired from in recent days following the resumption of war in Gaza by Israeli forces. There was no immediate claim…

Around 70,000 participants have completed the challenge of Outward Bound New Zealand since the programme first set up camp in 1962. 1News reporter Abbey Wakefield reflects on her experience as global representatives converge on the top of the South to learn how the Kiwis do it.In the heart of the Marlborough Sounds is a place called Anakiwa. It’s a beautiful part of Aotearoa riddled with bioluminescence, important lessons, and scenery deserving of its own National Geographic photoshoot. Those lessons are taught at a school called Outward Bound, an outdoor education programme designed to equip students to reach their full potential…

This Ramadan, the ‘Arada’ troupe warms hearts and spreads smiles with traditional chants, drum beats, sword displays, and whirling performances around Damascus’ old city neighbourhoods. ADVERTISEMENTLed by Muhannad Al-Halabi, the troupe is dedicated to preserving the Levantine heritage. In a country recovering from years of war, the ensemble brings unity and joy, reminding locals of their rich shared history.

Police have admitted to misidentifying an 11-year-old girl, who was taken to a mental health facility, handcuffed, and injected with antipsychotic drugs, as a missing 20-year-old patient.Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora has apologised and launched an investigation into the incident, while Prime Minister Christopher Luxon this morning described it as “incredibly concerning”.Police in Waikato were called to the Fairfield Bridge in Hamilton after a female described as being in her 20s was seen climbing onto the railings at around 6.40am on March 9. “Fearing for her safety, police units, including a police boat, responded immediately, and staff attempted to…

Turkey is cracking down on large protests triggered by the arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu, Istanbul Mayor and rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. ADVERTISEMENTTurkish authorities have arrested several journalists at their homes, a media workers’ union said on Monday, amid escalating protests triggered by the imprisonment of Ekrem İmamoğlu, the mayor of Istanbul and main rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.The Disk-Basin-Is union said at least eight reporters and photojournalists were detained in what it said was an “attack on press freedoms and the people’s right to learn the truth”.”You cannot hide the truth by silencing journalists!” the union wrote…

Five teenagers will face charges after three vehicles were allegedly stolen from a rural property north of Dargaville, with one colliding with a house while attempting to flee police.Police said three vehicles were stolen from Mamaranui at around 1am on Sunday.Inspector Maria Nordstrom, Whangārei-Kaipara Area Commander, said the vehicles travelled in convoy south into Dargaville where they were spotted by police.”All three vehicles failed to stop for the unit near River Rd, before beginning to drive at excessive speeds.”Police did not pursue the vehicles, she said.”Police soon came across one of these vehicles which had collided with a house on…